Gov. Nixon begins outlining budget, setting policy goals

UPDATE: Gov. Nixon's speech is now finished. See our State News section for reports on his proposals.

Missouri schools, colleges and state employees are learning whether Gov. Jay Nixon has targeted them for funding cuts.

The Democratic governor has begun presenting his annual budget and State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate.

Nixon’s budget director has said K-12 public schools will not get the full amount called for by the state’s funding formula. The governor and lawmakers have said they merely hope to hold basic school funding flat for next year.

School busing aid, college scholarships and basic aid to public colleges and universities all got cut in the current budget. Nixon is expected to reveal Wednesday whether he believes they need additional cuts for the budget year that begins July 1.

Nixon’s State of the State address at 7 p.m. today will be carried live in Mid-Missouri on KBIA (FM 91.3), KWOS (AM 950) and on KOMU-TV (Channel 8), followed by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s Republican response, about two minutes after Nixon’s speech is finished.